Flying Blue
Estimated value: 1.3¢ per mile
Air France/KLM Flying Blue is the combined frequent flyer program for Air France (AF) and KLM (KL), both SkyTeam members. Flying Blue miles transfer from multiple US bank programs and are particularly valuable for monthly Promo Rewards — deeply discounted awards published each month on specific routes. Key strengths: monthly Promo Rewards offer 25–50% off specific routes (check first day of each month); SkyTeam partner network; useful for Air France business class to Europe; miles earn 1:1 from Amex MR, Capital One, and Citi TY. Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity. As of 2026, any mileage earned from any source — flights, transfers, partner purchases, or shopping portal — resets the expiration clock, making balances easy to maintain without flying. Best for: travelers targeting Air France/KLM routes to Europe, Francophone Africa, or Asia who can take advantage of monthly promo awards.
Current promotions on transfers to Flying Blue
Credit card programs that can transfer points to Flying Blue
1.3¢
per mile (baseline)
Inbound transfers (all 1:1 unless noted): - Amex Membership Rewards → Flying Blue (1:1) - Citi ThankYou Points → Flying Blue (1:1 for premium cardholders, 10:7 otherwise) - Capital One Miles → Flying Blue (1:1) - Wells Fargo Rewards → Flying Blue (1:1) When to transfer: - Only transfer for a confirmed booking, specifically timed for Promo Rewards months - Check Flying Blue website on the 1st of each month for Promo Rewards pricing - Business class to Europe on promo: often 40,000–50,000 miles one-way Activity extension: - Miles expire after 24 months of inactivity; ANY earning from any source resets the clock - A small transfer, partner purchase, or credit card earning is sufficient to maintain balances indefinitely — no minimum amount required
Best Flying Blue redemptions: Promo Rewards (check monthly, published ~1st of month): - Europe economy: ~10,000–15,000 miles one-way on promo - Europe business class: ~40,000–55,000 miles one-way on promo (50% off standard) - KLM Amsterdam hub or Air France Paris CDG Standard awards (no promo): - Economy to Europe: ~25,000 miles one-way - Business to Europe: ~60,000–80,000 miles one-way Avoid off-promo standard pricing where costs can be high. Always check Promo Rewards before transferring.
US earning primarily through bank point transfers (see transfer strategy). Co-branded cards: - Air France/KLM World Elite Mastercard (Bank of America): earns Flying Blue miles directly; 3x on AF/KLM purchases, 1.5x everywhere else Flying Blue Shopping portal and partner hotel/car bookings stack with flight earning and also reset the 24-month expiration clock.